Speciality Chemicals Magazine MAR / APR 2025 | Page 30

Anil Kane , global head of technical & scientific affairs at Thermo Fisher Scientific , looks at ways to overcome some of the problems holding peptides back

Unlocking the potential : Challenges & opportunities in oral delivery of peptides

Anil Kane , global head of technical & scientific affairs at Thermo Fisher Scientific , looks at ways to overcome some of the problems holding peptides back

In recent years , peptides and other large molecules have emerged as key players in the search for therapies to address complex diseases , such as diabetes , cancer and autoimmune disorders . Despite their potential , delivering these compounds orally has long posed significant challenges due to barriers in stability , absorption and bioavailability ( Figure 1 ).

However , advances in formulation science and delivery technologies are changing the game , offering hope for oral peptides to become a viable therapeutic option . For patients , this evolution could mean not only better access to life-saving medications , but also the convenience of replacing injections with oral treatments — a transformation that could redefine therapeutic standards across multiple indications .
The global oral proteins and peptides market , valued at $ 1.5 billion in 2023 , is forecast to grow at a remarkable compound annual growth rate ( CAGR ) of 20 % to 2032.1 This underscores the increasing emphasis on overcoming barriers to oral delivery . The specificity , potency and low toxicity of these
30 SPECIALITY CHEMICALS MAGAZINE ESTABLISHED 1981